Meeting

[fatcatonthejames]

We had a great meeting tonight that cleared up alot of confusion on the river! All of the commercial people that where at the meeting have been keeping fish over 32 inches because the VMRC has been telling them it is OK to keep these fish over 32 inches. The DGIF told them that they were in violation of the 32 inch law. There are alot of fish being sold to NY for consumption. The commercial people at the meeting are keeping the fish , but they are doing it because the VMRC is telling them its ok.The DGIF is enforcing this law not the VMRC. The VMRC is not working with the DGIF to make sure that this 32 inch law is applied.
All of the commercial waterman that showed up tonight are from way down river, below the Chic. None of the people that are setting the big lines around Flower Dew or around Hopewell were in attendance. If I was breaking the law then I wouldnt attend this meeting either. I couldnt believe that none of the Hopewell/ Chester crew didnt show up to represent. They did have someone at the meeting but he played stupid and sat in the front row and acted like he didnt know sqwat!
In order to keep things in balance we as cafisherman need to make sure that these big fish stay in the river and that these commercial guys from here( Hopewell) take these small ones. If you see anyone taking illegal fish out of the river call 804 367 1258. More to come.

[fatcatonthejames]

I would like to thank all the guides that showed up. Chris, Mike , Neil, Kevin, Archie, Josh, Hunter. And I would like to thank all of the neutrel parties for showing as well!!! Tight Lines!

[catfishkoz]

FCOTJ,

I put that number in my cell phone and will be looking for these jokers keeping the illegal fish.I usually patrol richmond to the appy.Wish I could have made it to the meeting.Can I call that number when I see a person (usually an illegal alien)with a stringer of BigCats being dragged to their car at the Gap?

[wasabi]

the VMRC has been telling them it is OK to keep these fish over 32 inches.

Thanks for representing. How is the VMRC communicating this to commercial people? Have they put it in writing? Many of the commercial people are poor and illiterate.

[martineta]

Kevin, As far as I know, Jeff and I were the only guys on the front row. We were closest to the door. We were not representing the commercial guys. We are two dedicated recreational fisherman in support of the one big fish rule and a part of a local catfishing club. Jeff and I both fish upstream from Presquille. I fish from a Maroon and Silver Lund and practice CPR. Jeff fishes from a pontoon and does the same. You sent me a PM inviting me to the meeting. I didn't notice anyone in the meeting being divisive. Overall I thought the meeting went well and hopefully the Game Commission will follow through and get the VMRC Enforcement folks on board. Do not confuse me or Jeff with the bad guys.

[fishingarchie1960]

the commercial fisherman would have us believe the vmrc and the attorney general has verbally told them to go getem, meaning take all the big fish you can get your .20 cents a pound hands on. i as a 19 year veteran catfisherman and now guide was confronted with information backed by studies and admissions of taking large fish that the big fish populations are now leveling off. this is a slap in the face to all of us who have practiced catch and release and made this river what it has become. bob greenlee and the game officials were stunned to hear that this state law is being ignored and CLEARLY made it known these guys are in violation of the law. i have noticed over the last year and a half to two years although big fish are still being caught they are not being caught in numbers the way they were and this was backed by FACTS. they said they were not targeting big fish, you do the math. Capt. Archie Gold

[fishingarchie1960]

i ran out room, the only way we can turn this around is to put more effort on watching these guys and reporting them to law enforcement. the hoop cage guys are in violation because their stuff is not marked and all we have to do is get around them and mark it on our gps and call this # Lt. Scott Naff- Dispatch DGIF (804)367-1258. unfortunatly these people have temporarilly put a hurtin on the river but we can turn this around. we made it what it is and we together can turn it around. keep your eyes open, get involved and lets keep this river a WORLD CLASS FISHERY. Capt. Archie Gold

[CaptainK.Salmon]

Martineta, Im fat but not "Fatcatonthejames" Thanks to you and Jeff for coming Joe was not talking about you 2 guys. I was also very pleased with the meeting and believe that the commercial guys/girls that came are wanting to fish by the law. As every one heard EVERY HOOP NET IN THE JAMES RIVER MUST BE MARKED WITH A FLOAT. None of the hoop nets are marked so if you see any commercial boats pulling pots you need to call the DGIF. Thanks to all that came to the meeting.

[Tom Powers]

Was there VMRC representation at the meeting?

Did they say that they approved of the commercial fishermen taking more than one >32 inch fish per person?

I know in the meetings that I attended with the Deputy Commissioner Travelstead the matter of 32 inch fish was always treated as a matter of

"that is what the law says and VMRC can not change it unless there were changes in state code."

As far as the law is concerned enforcement officers both DGIF and VMRC are required to enforce the law not create or change it.

[River Lizard]

That's the sad part of it, there was no VMRC at the meeting to hear the issues first hand and to respond to the issue.

[River Lizard]

On a side note, by the data, we (guides and Rec's) need to figure something out on getting rid of the 32" and below cats and very soon before they trash what we have going on the James.

[martineta]

Opps, sorry Kevin!

[fatcatonthejames]

Just looked on the VMRC website under commercial regulations and it clearly states that you can only have one cat over 32 inches. Apparently the commercial people at the meeting dont have the internet.

[JPritch]

Selective viewing.

[fishingarchie1960]

they know what the law says, it's clearly written. why sell a 7 pounder for $ 1.40 when they know they can steal all the big fish from lack of law enforcement and get $ 10.00 to $ 15.00 a fish 50# and up. i guarrentee you i will be watching them and calling vdgif when i see them. i know you hoop cage guys are reading and you better start marking your stuff because it's the law, i'll be watching you as well. we as catch and release fisherman are taking our river BACK--Capt. Archie Gold

[wasabi]

how come people don't post some pictures of these guys?

[fishingarchie1960]

thats a good idea, i always have a camera on board and it will help if it comes down to showing pics in court. Lt. Naff says if you get two convictions in three years you can lose your licenses. these guys better beware. rest assured that i am going to do my part in bringing this crap to an end. Capt. Archie Gold

[fatcatonthejames]

I will say that if you guys say you are catching fish in a certain area that the commercial guys read this and know where you are fishing.Then they will set the long lines in that same area. So watch where you say you caught them.Thats how they are targeting these big fish because we are telling them where they are.If you have a report then tell them threw Bmail. If you see any unlawful fishing on the James call 800 237 5712. Thanks.

[Tom Powers]

The commercial licenses (as well as saltwater recreational licenses) are controlled by VMRC the rules there for everything but crabs and strped bass are three convictions within 12 months (or one egregious violation or being abusive to an MPO) gets you brought before the Commission. If they are serious violations they may take your license on the first trip. Normally it is 12 months of probation with the next ticket being a loss of license. You can check the minutes from past meetings and create your own score card by going to.

http://www.mrc.state.va.us/calendar.shtm

With respect to this particular issue someone who knows details or was at the meeting should contact Col. Lauderman at:

Rick.Lauderman@mrc.virginia.gov

He is in charge of enforcement. Explain the problem and what was said at the meeting. My experience is that VMRC MPOs enforce the law not invent the law.

[madcatter]

Archie, if anyone can get pictures of the ones causing all the trouble, be sure to include their boat numbers. If you forward them to me, I'll create a web page just for the " MOST WANTED TO KEEP AN EYE ON"

[wasabi]

What boat ramp do these retards use?

[fishingarchie1960]

i'll be in touch butch, i love it. THE MOST WANTED. word is they are either hiding the lines or removing them, one of them is putting in at hopewell, another is using jordan point, another is using the house at sturgeon point and some are coming out of the chic. all of us on the water at different times can make a real difference. Capt. Archie Gold